The Amazing Sony A1/A7/A9/APS-C & Anything else welcome Mega Thread!

Not from their description but look at the images, look at that screenshot they chose to use. In general, cats eye in cine lenses is desired and not something cinematographers avoid.
I must be going blind, I’ve gone through multiple pages on the Cooke site and can’t see one single example of cat eye bokeh :thinking: There’s some slight ovoid shaped bokeh balls but that’s all I’ve seen.
 
Not from their description but look at the images, look at that screenshot they chose to use. In general, cats eye in cine lenses is desired and not something cinematographers avoid.
I don't mind either round or cats, there are far more important aspects of the image to be considered. Moreover I doubt any of your clients would notice any difference let alone care about it.

The only scenario where this may look seriously weird is if you were to really crop one edge far in causing the bokeh rendering to become unsymmetric and unbalanced. Hopefully we can all compose well enough to avoid chopping off nearly one half on an image in post
 
As you know I really liked the Samyang rendering as well, I sometimes wonder if I did the right thing. That being said stopping the GM down to f1.4 to match the Sammy results in more rounded bokeh, and from my tests the GM had more shallow DOF and smoother OOF areas for a given aperture.

I believe the extra ‘pop’ of the Samyang is attributed to the vignetting, if I added a similar vignette to the GM then ‘pop’ was very similar.

IIRC you had the MkII rather than MkI like me. TBH if the vignetting on the GM was any heavier I doubt it could be corrected acceptably - I've never know another lens with is much darkening at the edges. Maybe I should pop my lab coat on and do some comparisons. The only other lens I know with amazing softness is my Minolta/Sony A mount 50 f1.4, but that has massive amounts of coma that smears OOF areas.
 
IIRC you had the MkII rather than MkI like me. TBH if the vignetting on the GM was any heavier I doubt it could be corrected acceptably - I've never know another lens with is much darkening at the edges. Maybe I should pop my lab coat on and do some comparisons. The only other lens I know with amazing softness is my Minolta/Sony A mount 50 f1.4, but that has massive amounts of coma that smears OOF areas.
Yeah I had the mk2, I didn’t realise you had the mk1 (y)
 
I sometimes don't think I live in the real world, £1600 for a fixed lens APS-C camera? I know these are highly popular and been in demand for ages, but it still feels a bit steep to me.

Again a case of some people being willing to pay that for one, or more than one ...
This is mostly not a pro tool, and is a want not need item, a fashion statement or status symbol. It is no more ridiculous than £1.5k smartphone
 
Again a case of some people being willing to pay that for one, or more than one ...
This is mostly not a pro tool, and is a want not need item, a fashion statement or status symbol. It is no more ridiculous than £1.5k smartphone
I'm struggling to understand who would buy this when you can get an XT5 and 18-55mm lens on Efinity for less than £1600.00.
 
I sometimes don't think I live in the real world, £1600 for a fixed lens APS-C camera? I know these are highly popular and been in demand for ages, but it still feels a bit steep to me.


I think factors making the Fuji X100 series popular include the retro look and controls which I liked much more than I thought I would and the jpeg profiles and the OVF but I didn't use either. I can see the appeal especially if using the ovf and shooting jpegs with those profiles but due to the flaws I saw and me always shooting raw with the EVF I tended to choose any other camera I own over my Fuji X100f, mainly my A7 or Panasonic GX80. For those who do see the appeal then there is arguably really nothing exactly like these on the market.

I think there are some areas that need addressing, focus accuracy and consistency, the awful manual focusing experience and the IMO barmy menus and terminology being things I'd highlight for improvement. I don't really regret trying these cameras out but after trying I can't see myself buying another but I would consider a FF Sony A7 sort of camera with the same manual dials.
 
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Yes, I get that, but £1600?

I guess it depends on two things.

How much of a dent to your finances £1600 will be?

And how often you would be using it?

I bought a very well priced X100f because I've always wanted to try an X100 varient.

To dive straight in at £1600 is crazy, but if someone has been with an older model for a few years, loves using it, uses it pretty much everyday and takes thousands of images then they should really go for it. I would if I were in that position.
 
I guess it depends on two things.

How much of a dent to your finances £1600 will be?

And how often you would be using it?

I bought a very well priced X100f because I've always wanted to try an X100 varient.

To dive straight in at £1600 is crazy, but if someone has been with an older model for a few years, loves using it, uses it pretty much everyday and takes thousands of images then they should really go for it. I would if I were in that position.
I kinda get that, but for me, I guess it's just doesn't feel like a good proposition when it comes to value for money.
 
I kinda get that, but for me, I guess it's just doesn't feel like a good proposition when it comes to value for money.

Same from my point of view. I was merely answering the "struggling to understand who would buy it" thing :) And answering it with the reasons I would consider buying it ;)

I posted in that thread about the value of used gear the other day. I simply value camera stuff on its usage rather than actual cost. For me buying the 35GM wasn't an issue because I use it virtually every time I go out. It's my go to, welded to the A7Riii lens. If I used it 3 times a year that's a big waste.....

Same for the X100vi - £1600, someone uses it several times a week, hundred shots a week, sells it after 6 months for £1300 - 2,600 images for £300 plus all the adventures and days out you got from it. Not too bad a deal ;)
 
Same from my point of view. I was merely answering the "struggling to understand who would buy it" thing :) And answering it with the reasons I would consider buying it ;)

I posted in that thread about the value of used gear the other day. I simply value camera stuff on its usage rather than actual cost. For me buying the 35GM wasn't an issue because I use it virtually every time I go out. It's my go to, welded to the A7Riii lens. If I used it 3 times a year that's a big waste.....

Same for the X100vi - £1600, someone uses it several times a week, hundred shots a week, sells it after 6 months for £1300 - 2,600 images for £300 plus all the adventures and days out you got from it. Not too bad a deal ;)
My X100F (bought new) cost me £500 over 6.5 years - that’s just over £75 per year (not far off the current cost per image taken from its replacement Leica Q3 :ROFLMAO: )

I’m obviously the wrong person to make any comment on this thread having just splurged a wedge on a fixed lens FF camera, but if you take depreciation into account they can have quite low overall costs - a bought when released Leica Q has lost about £400 in 8 years…….

And as Lee says - plenty of adventures ahead :)
 
Again a case of some people being willing to pay that for one, or more than one ...
This is mostly not a pro tool, and is a want not need item, a fashion statement or status symbol. It is no more ridiculous than £1.5k smartphone

I'm struggling to understand who would buy this when you can get an XT5 and 18-55mm lens on Efinity for less than £1600.00.

I bought an X100f because I didn't want an interchangeable lens Fuji system and wanted something small with a fixed focal length :)

I think factors making the Fuji X100 series popular include the retro look and controls which I liked much more than I thought I would and the jpeg profiles and the OVF but I didn't use either. I can see the appeal especially if using the ovf and shooting jpegs with those profiles but due to the flaws I saw and me always shooting raw with the EVF I tended to choose any other camera I own over my Fuji X100f, mainly my A7 or Panasonic GX80. For those who do see the appeal then there is arguably really nothing exactly like these on the market.

I think there are some areas that need addressing, focus accuracy and consistency, the awful manual focusing experience and the IMO barmy menus and terminology being things I'd highlight for improvement. I don't really regret trying these cameras out but after trying I can't see myself buying another but I would consider a FF Sony A7 sort of camera with the same manual dials.
I think it’s just me that’s out of touch with the real world tbh. I totally get why people would want it, and I even fancy one myself but it’s just the price. As I mentioned with regards to Leica we all have our cut off point of what we deem reasonable etc, I just think my brain’s just stuck in the 1990’s when it comes to pricing :ROFLMAO:
 
My X100F (bought new) cost me £500 over 6.5 years - that’s just over £75 per year (not far off the current cost per image taken from its replacement Leica Q3 :ROFLMAO: )

I’m obviously the wrong person to make any comment on this thread having just splurged a wedge on a fixed lens FF camera, but if you take depreciation into account they can have quite low overall costs - a bought when released Leica Q has lost about £400 in 8 years…….

And as Lee says - plenty of adventures ahead :)
I misread this initially, I thought you’d bought it new for £500, I was thinking bargain :lol:
 
Says a man who will pay almost anything to be blackout free!!
The A1 was a present, I wouldn't have bought it myself ;) I am of course extermely grateful that I have it (y)
 
Remember how I wanted to track my dog with my A7R5 ?
My 70-200 has arrived and I gave it a go.
This camera in my opinion isn't really suited to it.
The Lens however, ..anyway
No Crops, the frames numbers of the burst are in the picture titles.
I think the focusing is pretty good, not excellent.

1
1st frame of burst by Trevor, on Flickr

2
3rd frame of burst by Trevor, on Flickr

3
10th frame of burst by Trevor, on Flickr

4
15th and last frame of burst by Trevor, on Flickr
Yeah, still not tack sharp on the last two, although this site's rubbish for sharpness in fairness. I assume you've uploaded to flickr so I'll have a look on there later. What's more noticable is how much the WB changes, quite magenta on the first, then green and then back to magenta on the 4th, seems a bit odd even for AWB :thinking:
 
Yeah, still not tack sharp on the last two, although this site's rubbish for sharpness in fairness. I assume you've uploaded to flickr so I'll have a look on there later. What's more noticable is how much the WB changes, quite magenta on the first, then green and then back to magenta on the 4th, seems a bit odd even for AWB :thinking:
Toby. White balance. Interesting because all at 5000K
 
Yeah, still not tack sharp on the last two, although this site's rubbish for sharpness in fairness. I assume you've uploaded to flickr so I'll have a look on there later. What's more noticable is how much the WB changes, quite magenta on the first, then green and then back to magenta on the 4th, seems a bit odd even for AWB :thinking:
Focusing. Let’s hope the A9iii is a better version.
Not that it’s on my Radar…obviously..
 
Focusing. Let’s hope the A9iii is a better version.
Not that it’s on my Radar…obviously..
You’d have to imagine the A9iii will nail everything 100% (y)
 
The A1 was a present, I wouldn't have bought it myself ;) I am of course extermely grateful that I have it (y)

But surely it's joint money at the end of the day, indirectly you are paying for it :)

My wife and I have a shared account plus single accounts but when that "day" comes the other one gets it all anyway.
 
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But static, superb

Lets pose by Trevor, on Flickr

I still can't take pictures of our "new" dog running because we can't let her off the lead. she's a rescue dog from the streets I'm pretty sure she would just run off.

Saying that, the problems we have had with her the last 3 months I'm beginning to think that wouldn't be a bad thing.


(Joking of course) ..... Or am I
 
Let’s hope one day she works out you’re worth returning to..
I still can't take pictures of our "new" dog running because we can't let her off the lead. she's a rescue dog from the streets I'm pretty sure she would just run off.

Saying that, the problems we have had with her the last 3 months I'm beginning to think that wouldn't be a bad thing.


(Joking of course) ..... Or am I
 
I think it’s just me that’s out of touch with the real world tbh. I totally get why people would want it, and I even fancy one myself but it’s just the price. As I mentioned with regards to Leica we all have our cut off point of what we deem reasonable etc, I just think my brain’s just stuck in the 1990’s when it comes to pricing :ROFLMAO:

A Leica might suit me very well but when I had RF's they were a Bessa and a Canonet and each or even both combined at a fraction of the price of a Leica. I know that I have an issue spending money generally and I don't think I'll ever spend what a digital Leica costs on a camera. Good luck to those who don't have an issue spending Leica level money :D
 
Remember how I wanted to track my dog with my A7R5 ?
My 70-200 has arrived and I gave it a go.
This camera in my opinion isn't really suited to it.
The Lens however, ..anyway
No Crops, the frames numbers of the burst are in the picture titles.
I think the focusing is pretty good, not excellent.

In my opinion, it's totally unacceptable with a camera costing so much money. :headbang:
 
In my opinion, it's totally unacceptable with a camera costing so much money. :headbang:
Well. I’m prepared to not be so harsh. It’s not marketed as an action camera. That job is given to A9. Nowadays A9iii. If that can’t keep up with a running dog then that’d be very disappointing. More testing required on my R5. Only my 1st attempt with the 70-200.
Probably take the Olympus out later this week.
 
But surely it's joint money at the end of the day, indirectly you are paying for it :)

My wife and I have a shared account plus single accounts but when that "day" comes the other one gets it all anyway.
Yep we have a shared bank account so what’s hers is mine and vice versa, we don’t have separate spending pots. However, when my wife gives me a gift I appreciate it and don’t get annoyed etc because of how much it cost. I might not have been willing to pay for it for myself, but that doesn’t mean that my wife feels the same way (y)
 
A Leica might suit me very well but when I had RF's they were a Bessa and a Canonet and each or even both combined at a fraction of the price of a Leica. I know that I have an issue spending money generally and I don't think I'll ever spend what a digital Leica costs on a camera. Good luck to those who don't have an issue spending Leica level money :D

I'm going to turn the screen off and stick a round red sticker on the Fuji :)
 
Yep we have a shared bank account so what’s hers is mine and vice versa, we don’t have separate spending pots. However, when my wife gives me a gift I appreciate it and don’t get annoyed etc because of how much it cost. I might not have been willing to pay for it for myself, but that doesn’t mean that my wife feels the same way (y)

We have separate. She does most of the house related stuff which she has done for many many years anyway. When I moved in about 7/8 years ago I started paying for all the shopping, DIY stuff, house stuff which worked out about equal. As her kids have moved out I send her a few hundred a month towards the house and we share the pre payment gas/leccy as and when. I do earn more so I pay for holidays, etc Paid the tax on her car recently and the £80 gearbox oil it needed! It doesn't matter really, it's never caused any issues at all. As long as we get by and we're happy :)

I have easily overspent though vs earnings the past couple of months :ROFLMAO:
 
Well. I’m prepared to not be so harsh. It’s not marketed as an action camera. That job is given to A9. Nowadays A9iii. If that can’t keep up with a running dog then that’d be very disappointing. More testing required on my R5. Only my 1st attempt with the 70-200.
Probably take the Olympus out later this week.
Regardless of what you purchase, there always seems to be an excuse that its the wrong camera or that the next model will be better. If I was Sony, I'd be so embarrassed that the Olympus can out perform.

Trevor, take a look at this link from 6.21 minutes
View: https://youtu.be/HtWVbDEtStA?feature=shared
 
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I'm going to turn the screen off and stick a round red sticker on the Fuji :)

I used to turn the screen on my Panasonic G1 and G100 to the body unless it was needed and thinking abut them reminds me that some Panasonic cameras come with an "L" on them.
 
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